Process of electrolysis.



A. E. GIBBS.

moczss 0F ELECTROLYSIS. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 25, I913.

Patented Mar. 21, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

'rlirrul'unul W ITNESSES INVENTOR 1/. L M/J {Magi A. E. GIBBS.

PROCESS OF ELECTROLYSIS.

APPLICATION man OCT-25. I9l3.

Patented Man. 21, 1916.

2 SHEETSSHEEF 2.

INVENTOR Z. @244 OL/QM 7 fla e WITNESSES UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR E. GIBBS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO PENNSYLVANIASALT MANUFACTUBIN G COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPO-RATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

PROCESS OF ELECTROLYSIS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR E. Gums, a subject of the King of GreatBritain, and a resident of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphiaand State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement inthe Process of Electrolysis, of which the following is a full, clear,and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,forming part of this specification, in which- Figures 1 and 2 arevertical sections of two different forms of electrolytic cell embodyingthe features of my invention: Fig. 3 is a partial section on the lineIIIIII of Fig. 2, but on a larger scale; and Figs. 4, 5,

6 and 7 are detail sectional views herein after more fully described.

My invention relates to an improved process of electrolysis, which hasheretofore been carried out by the use of cells of the type shown in myPatent No. 874.064 of Decemher 17th, 1907. In cells of this type, whichare arranged for wet electrolysis, such as the electrolysis of alkalinechlorids. there is employed ,a metallic cathode, together with adiaphragm of permeable material, the cathode having projections embeddedor partiallly embedded in said diaphragm.

One object of my present invention is to provide an improved process ofelectrolysis, which will permit the flow of the electrolyte from theinterior of the cell into contact with a surface of the cathode, uponwhich caustic soda is formed in the action of the cell. This flow isindependent and additional to that permeating the diaphragm, andprovides for washing the surface of the cathode over which it flows toremove the products of electrolysis. The permeable diaphragin of thesecells in the course of time tends to become choked or clogged, therebyrestricting the permeation therethrough, and

interfering with the proper action of the cell. In such cases thisimpermea'bility can be in part overcome by the provision of the passagesabove referred to and which provide for flow of the electrolyteindependently of and additional to that through the interstices of thediaphragm.

Referring first to the form of apparatus for carrying out my inventionwhich is shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 5, the numeral 2' Specification ofLetters Patent.

Application filed October 25, 1913. Serial No. 797,259.

designates a bottom member of resistant material; 3 designates thecathode member, and 4 the permeable diaphragm within the cathode member.In these figures, I have shown a cathode member and diaphragm,

which are in general similar to that shown in Figs. 1 a'nd2 of my saidpatent, the cathode member being provided with a plurality of holes orperforations formedby punching. These punched or inset portions of thecathode which surround the holes are embedded in the material of thediaphragm. The cathode member and diaphragm are held at the bottom by anannular clamping band 5 placed around the bottom member 2; and at theupper end by a similar clamping member 6 surrounding a depending flange7 of a top' ring 8, which seats upon the upper end of the cathode anddiaphragm and upon the clamping band 6. The anode preferably consists ofa series of carbon rods 9 arranged in annular form and projectingthrough the dome 10, which may rest upon an annular recess in the topring 8. The positive wire of the connections leads to this anode,whilethe negative wire leads to the cathode. The dome is shown asprovided with a gas outlet 11, and also with a ring or suspending device12, which may be engaged by a crane or hoisting device to lift out theanode. Through the upper portion of the diaphragm I form a series ofholes or passages 13., these being located at about the highest level ofthe electrolyte at which the cell can be operated. 14 designates aninlet pipe for feeding the solution into a vertically adjustable feedingcup 15. 16 is a pipe for conveyingthe solution from the cup 15 into theanode chamber. 17 designates a suitable pan or vessel within which thelower portion of the cell is placed and which serves to catch thecathode products. This pan is provided with an outlet pipe 18. Thefeeding cup 15 is provided with an overflow pipe 19, which serves tomaintain a substantially constant level in the cup and also in the cell.

In carryingout the process, the solution to be treated is fed into thecup 15 at a faster rate than it 'is-passed through the cell. Theoverflow feeds out through .the pipe 19, and the solution feeds into theanode compartment of the cell through the pipe 16. By adjusting theheight of the cup 15 I can adjust the feed so as to give the bestefficiency at different stages of the life of the cell. wardly throughthe permeable diaphragm, in the treatment of alkaline chlorids, thecaustic forms upon the projections or points of the cathode, the bulk ofelectrolysis taking place at these points or projections. As'

the caustic is formed, the flow of electrolyte carries it outwardlythrough the holes in the cathode and out of the region of electrolyticaction. As above stated, however, in use the diaphragm tends to becomeclogged or choked, so that the proper quan tity of the electrolyte doesnot permeate through the same. In such cases the caustic is not carriedaway as rapidly as it is formed and becomes decomposed, thus loweringthe efliciency of .the cell. My present invention overcomes this defect,in that the provision of the perforations 13 in the upper portion of thediaphragm forms a means for conducting electrolyte to the outer surfaceof the cathode over which it flows, thus constantly washing away anydeposit of the caustic.

In the form 'of my invention shown in Figs. 2, 3, 6 and 7, the cathodeis composed of the series of segments 20 fitted together to form acomplete cylinder and held in place by the top and bottom clampingrings- 21 and 22. The segments 20 may be in the form of castings, thusgiving a strong and durable construction. The inner 'faces of thesegments are vertically corrugated as indicated at 23, thus forming amultiplicity of vertical channels between the cathode and the diaphragm,these channels being parcan be made in the details of construction andarrangement of the various parts within the scope of the appendedclaims. Thus, instead of forming perforations through the diaphragm tolead the electrolyte to a surface of the cathode, I may provide any Asthe solution passes outother suitable passage or passages forthatpurpose.

The advantages of my invention result from the provision of a process ofelectrolysis in which the life and efficiency of the cell are increasedby constantly permitting some of the electrolyte to flow from the anodecompartment to the cathode compartment, to wash the products ofelectrolysis from the surface of the cathode.

I claim:

1. 'The process of electrolysis, which comprises maintaining constantfreedom of communication betweenthe anode and cathode compartments, anda constant flow of liquid across the electrolytic field within a spacebetween the cathode and the porous diaphragm.

2. The process of electrolysis, which comprises maintaining a constantpressure on the electrolyte in the anode compartment, and a flow ofliquid across the electrolytic field within a space between the porousdiaphragm and the cathode, with a constant discharge of the cathodeliquor.

3. The process of electrolysis, which comprises constantly feeding inelectrolyte into the anode compartment, in by-passing a portion of theelectrolyte around the porous diaphragm, and in maintaining a flow ofthe liquid across the electrolytic field from the point of said bypasswith a constant discharge of the cathode liquor.

4. The process of electrolysis, which comprises fiowing the liquidacross the electrolytic field within a space between the diaphragm andthe cathode.

5. The process of electrolysis, which comprises flowing the liquidacross the electrolytic field in thin sheets within a space between thediaphragm and the cathode.

6. The process of electrolysis, which comprises fiowing the liquidacross the electrolytic field downward within a space between thediaphragm and the cathode.

7. The process of electrolysis, which consists in maintaining a flow ofthe electrolyte from the anode compartment of the cell to a surface ofthe cathode, independent of the permeation through the diaphragm,thereby removing the products of electrolysis from such surface.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

1 ARTHUR E. GIBBS. Witnesses:

G. E. GoLLor, E. A. WILSON.

